August 30, 2019
Durga Pujo Carnival on October 11: Mamata Banerjee
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met organisers of Durga Pujos
from across Bangla at Netaji Indoor Stadium today. She spoke to some of the
organisers during her address and also announced a host of measures to help them
organise the Pujos better.
Highlights of Chief Minister’s speech:
A 25% concession will be given in electricity rates charged by the CESC and the State Electricity Board. Fire and municipal services are not charged, and there will also be no charges for advertisements.
In place of Rs 10,000, an assistance of Rs 25,000 will be given to both small and big Pujo committees. In addition, Pujos organised by ladies will get a Rs 5,000 assistance for getting separate police help. All the big Pujos will help 10 small Pujos each.
No one will be allowed to give Bangla a bad name. Politicising Bangla’s Pujos will not be allowed. Bangla will move forward, will not be stalled by all this.
In earlier years, dates of Durga Pujo and Muharram had
coincided. But both were celebrated peacefully; both communities had extended
cooperation.
Is any other festival celebrated simultaneously with Ganapati
Pujo in other States? In Bangla, people of all religious communities stay
together, something which the State is way ahead of others.
Crores of people come to the State during Durga Pujo, visiting pandals in the city and districts. The cooperation of clubs and Pujo committees with the police
has helped to maintain order.
In the whole of Bangla, 28,000 Durga Pujos are held, along
with Pujos in many homes. Yet some people complain that I don’t allow Durga Pujos.
I am very hurt at such comments.
In Bangla, Durga Pujo is being held for centuries, and as the
years go by, the number of Pujos is increasing. This year the Durga Pujo
Carnival will be held on October 11.
Advice of the chief minister:
There will be enough ambulances during the Durga Pujo days
Ensure there is enough space for fire engines to enter
I will ask the police to cooperate with local lads
Do not run or shout or hurry in crowded places
Police will keep in touch with clubs through walkie-talkies
Do not keep VIP gates; everyone should enter through the same
queues. Keep special queues only for the differently abled.
